Marshall Islands makes history as national football team plays its first ever international match




Tuesday, August 19, 2025 - The Marshall Islands has made history by playing its first-ever international football matches, marking the nation’s long-awaited debut on the global stage.

Once known as the only country in the world without a national football team, the Pacific island nation fielded a side this week in a friendly against the U.S. Virgin Islands, ending in a 4–0 defeat. Despite the scoreline, the occasion was hailed as a milestone moment for the fledgling team and its supporters.

In their second outing, the Marshall Islands showed remarkable progress, narrowly losing to Turks & Caicos in what was described as a spirited performance.



“Some of our squad hadn’t played 11v11 before, some had never played in a real match before. And yet, in our second match ever, we went toe-to-toe with a full FIFA member for 90 minutes,” the Marshall Islands Soccer Federation wrote on X. “Proud doesn’t even begin to describe it. Thank you to all who supported us during this amazing, unforgettable week in Springdale!!”

The debut represents a breakthrough for the Marshall Islands Soccer Federation, which has been working to develop the sport in a country where football was previously non-existent on an official level.

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